18 Jul 2003

Samoan indicted on methamphetamine charges in Hawaii

3:35 pm on 18 July 2003

A federal grand jury in Hawaii has indicted a Samoan man for allegedly conspiring to transport more than 22 kilograms of crystal amphetamine in secret compartments he built into cars shipped from the United States

Edward Moetului, also known as "Big Ed" is accused of building the compartments in the dashboards of cars shipped from San Francisco to Honolulu

Two other men who were indicted last year have been accused of using the compartments to hold the drugs, with at least 2 kilos stored in each converted vehicle.

One pleaded guilty to the charge, while the second will go to trial next month.